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10 Useless Business Hacks That Every Entrepreneur Can Ignore

You probably hear a lot about business hacks that can make you perform better, like making sure you get enough sleep or doing one task at a time (which is actually more efficient than multi-tasking).

These are good pieces of advice to follow.

Unfortunately, not all business advice has research backing it or is actually beneficial to you as an entrepreneur. It’s important to know what hacks and tips are worth ignoring, as adopting some practices may actually just be a waste of time and effort.

So, here are 10 useless business hacks you can toss right out the window!

3. Make the most of commute hours

Solution: Practice mindfulness during your commute to relax yourself, and arrive at work refreshed.

4. Keep meetings to 15 minutes

You’ve certainly heard that meetings can become a huge waste of time, which has led some experts to suggest limiting meetings to 15 minutes. Doing this may actually rush some of the more important gatherings you have with your team or clients.

Solution: Meetings should be as long as necessary. Decide that for each particular meeting, instead of having a set policy.

Solution: If a tidy environment doesn’t work for you, don’t feel forced to have one.

6. Take nootropics

Nootropics are growing in popularity among entrepreneurs because they’re said to boost brain function. Dave Asprey, a Silicon Valley investor, takes a cocktail of 15 nootropics per day to combat ‘brain fog’. The fact is that the science on nootropics is still foggy, and taking them could be dangerous.

Solution: Power your brain with the right diet instead. Think foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts.

7. Network as much as possible

It’s true: Knowing the right people can lead to much more success as an entrepreneur. But focusing too much on networking for the sake of networking leads to attending catering conferences when you’re in the tech business (at least they’ll be good food).

8. Do the most urgent tasks first

Solution: Make sure your workflow suits the way you work best. If that means doing easy tasks in the morning, like responding to emails, so be it.

9. Get eight hours of straight sleep

It’s actually not natural. Before the Industrial Revolution, sleep was divided into two segments (a first and second sleep). The period in between was used for planning the day and conversing in the early morning. You actually may be missing out on hours of high productivity by not getting up and working when you wake up in the early morning.

Solution: Get seven to eight hours of sleep, but follow a sleep schedule that optimizes your efficiency. That could mean waking up at 4 a.m. like me.

10. Aim big or go home

Having big dreams is important. However, unattainable standards can weigh you down during the usual workday. You may think, “If I don’t do this well, I won’t be able to achieve that goal.”

Solution: One of Sheryl Sandberg’s favorite mottos is, “Done is better than perfect.” Finish projects, get feedback, and then make improvements. Things may turn out better than you imagined.

Working the way that works for you

Don’t feel forced to follow business tips and productivity hacks, especially the useless ones and those that may not suit you (which makes them useless). Nobody’s perfect and that’s okay. Build a system that matches your style and goals. By working the way that works for you, you’ll be in a much better position to have success as an entrepreneur.

About the Author(s)

Joel Landau is the founder and chairman of The Allure Group, a rapidly expanding provider of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services throughout the New York downstate area. The Allure Group transforms nursing homes into post-acute rehabilitation centers that are attentive to the needs of residents when it comes to their health, comfort, culture, and quality of life.